Filling valves for liquefied gas lighters



July 2 1965 TAISHO lKETANi FILLING VALVES FOR LIQUEFIED GAS LIGHTERS 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1963 Fig. 2

Fig. l

/NVNTOR TqlsHo /KETHN/ ATTORNEY July 20, 1965 TAISHO IKETANl FILLING VALVES FOR LIQUEFIED GAS LIGHTERS Filed Jan. 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 6

INVENTOR.

7I4/5HO /KE TA N/ A TTORNE Y.

United States Patent 3,l95,5 ll FlLLlNG VALVES Fill? LZQUEFlEl) GAS Ll-GHTERS Taisho lltetani, 589 Nogatacho-it-chcme, Nalrano-ku, Tokyo, .lapan Filed Jan. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 253,825 Qlaims priority, application Japan, Jan. 27, 1962,

2 Claims. (0. 141-293) The present invention relates to filling valves for liquefied gas lighters and more particularly to those of the type capable of replenishing the liquefied gas fuel while allowing the air or fuel vapor to exhaust from the fuel tank of the lighter.

The present invention has for its primary object to provide an improved filling valve of the character described having a filling and an exhaust passage adapted to be opened and closed in a positive and accurate fashion.

According to the present invention, a filling valve for a liquefied gas lighter including a cylindrical casing having an exhaust port formed in its side wall and a radially inwardly extending flange formed on the side wall above said exhaust port, a spring-biased plunger formed at the bottom with a filling port and arranged in said casing so that when the plunger is forced down against the spring bias said filling port is brought into communication with the interior of the reservoir tank of the lighter, a tubular slide arranged in said casing below said flange formed thereon to cooperate with the inner peripheral wall surface of said cylindrical casing to define an annular clearance and normally biased upwardly by spring means, said tubular slide being slidably fitted over said plunger, a packing element fitted in the top surface of said tubular slide and cooperating with the underside of said flange formed on said casing to define a normally closed passage, said plunger being formed against to its top with a flange and operable to open said normally closed pas sage when forced down under a mechanical pressure applied thereto through the last-mentioned flange, said filling valve further comprising a disc secured to said plunger immediately beneath said filling port for limiting the upward travel of said plunger, and a packing element arranged on the top of said disc to cooperate with said tubular slide to define another normally closed passage, which is opened to communicate with the interior of the reservoir tank when said plunger is forced down.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a few preferred embodiments of the invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a filling valve embodying the present invention in closed position;

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the relationship of parts of the valve shown in F161 at respective stages of the valve opening operation;

FIGS. 4, and 6 are views. similar to FIG. 1 showing further respective embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 designates a cylindrical valve casing fitted to the exterior wall of the fuel reservoir tank a of a liquefied gas lighter. The casing includes a bottom plate 2 and a radially inwardly extending flange 3 together defining a chamber 5, said flange 3 being spaced downwardly from the exterior wall of the reservoir tank a. Exhaust ports 4 are formed in the side Wall of the casing 1 below and adjacent to the radial flange 3 for communicating the chamber [2 with the interior 0 of the reservoir tank a.

3,l95,5% Patented July 20, 1965 "ice A plunger 5 is fitted in the cylindrical casing 1 and extends through an aperture 6 defined by the inner periph cry of said flange 3. The bottom end of the plunger 5 is located in the chamber b andcarries a disc 7 fixed to the plunger end with a packing 3 fitted to the top of the disc. interposed between the top of the bottom plate 2 and a shoulder lit formed on the bottom of said disc 7, is a spring 9 for upwardly urging said plunger 5 with disc 7. Numeral l2; designates a flange extending outwardly from the periphery of the plunger 5 adjacent to the top thereof for the purpose of forcing down a tubular slide l3 fitted on the plunger when the valve is operated to open.

The tubular slide 13 is axially slidable along the plunger 5 and arranged in spaced relation to the inner wall sur face of the chamber b to define an annular exhaust clearance 14. The tubular slide 13 is formed with a flange 15 extending radially inwardly from the inner peripheral wall thereof and is normally biased upwardly by a spring 16 arranged between the flange l5 and the bottom plate 2 of the casing 1. The major portion of the spring 16 adjacent to its top is located in a chamber d defined in the tubular slide 13 beneath the flange l5 thereon. The top of the tubular slide 13 is recessed as at 18 to receive a packing element 17. The flange 3 on the casing 1 has an annular projection 19 extending downwardly from the underside of the flange 3 with said packing element 17 normally pressed against the projection 19 as at 20 under the bias of the spring 16 to out 01f communication between the chamber b and the exterior of the tank through the aperture 6. A filling passage 21 is formed in the plun er 5 axially thereof and opens at the top through a tabular needle-like portion 22 of the plunger formed at the top thereof. The filling passage 21 terminates at the bottom adjacent to the disc 7 carried by the plunger 5. A filling port 23 is formed in communication with the filling passage Zl at a level slightly above the packing element 8 on the disc 7 so as to open to the vertical opening 24 defined by the inner periphery of the flange 13. The filling port 23 is brought into communication with the interior 0 of the reservoir tank a when the plunger 5 is forced down to lower the packing element 8 thereon out of sealing engagment with the annular projection 25 formed on the tubular slide 13 while bringing the underside of the flange 12 of the plunger 5 into contact with the top of the packing element 17. As the plunger 5 continues to descend, its flange 12 acts upon the tubular slide 13 to lower the latter against the bias of the spring 16 so that the sealing engagement be tween the annular projection 19 on the cylindrical casing and the packing 17 on the tubular slide 13 is released.

In operation of the filling valve described above, the tubular needle-like portion 22 of the plunger 5 is inserted into the filling port of a fuel supply tank (not shown) to force down the plunger 5 relative to the valve casing 1. By doing this, the liquefied gas fuel from the fuel supply tank is allowed to flow through the axial passage Zll and the filling port 23 into the chamber d and further into the interior 0 of the reservoir tank of the lighter, On this occasion, the tubular slide 13 remains stationary under the bias of the spring 16. As the plunger 5 continues to descend, however, an exhaust passage 2% is opened between the packing element 17 and the annular projection 19 on the cylindrical casing l to communicate the interior of the reservoir tank with its exterior through the exhaust ports 4, the chamber b and the aperture 6 so that the vaporized fuel is exhausted from the reservoir tank. As the liquefied gas fuel is filled, the liquid level in the reservoir tank a rises until it reaches the level of the exhaust ports 4, when the fuel starts to overflow through the ports 4 and the passage Zll to the outside of the cylindrical cas- I the valve elements 1%5 and 113.

ing 1 at the top thereof, indicating that the reservoir a has been filled with the liquefied gas fuel up to the level of the exhaust ports 4. In the meantime, the bottom of the tubular slide 13 is brought into pressure contact with the bottom plate 12 of the casing 1 thereby effectively to prevent the liquefied gas filled into the reservoir tank a from rushing up into the exhaust clearance 14.

On the other hand, when the fuel supply tank is re moved to release the plunger 5, both the plunger and the tubular slide 13 rise together under the bias of the springs 9 audio first to close'the exhaust'passage and then the filling port 23. p

Referring next to FIG. 4, illustrating another embodiment of the invention, a flange 26 is provided which extends radially outwardly from the periphery of the tubular slide adjacent to the top thereof for the purpose of completely eliminating the possibility of the springs and 16 engaging each other. As illustrated, the spring 16 is interposed between the underside of the flange 26 and the top of the bottom plate 2.

in a further embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, a skirt member 27 is employed in place of the lower half portion of the cylindrical casing in the first embodiment. The peripheral wall of the skirt member 2 7 includes a number of spaced apart support legs 2% defining a substantial space 28 beneath the cylindrical casing ll of reduced vertical length. In this case, the peripheral wall of the tubular slide need not be extended downwardly beyond the flange thereon to define a chamber a as in the first and second embodiments. I

Finally, referring to FIG. 6, which illustrates a still lurther embodiment ofthe invention, numeral 1421 designates a cylindrical casing adapted to be fitted tothe reservoir tank a of a lighter and having a bottom plate 1%. Formed on the casing lfil intermediate its ends is a flange 163 to define chambers b and c in the casing. Exhaust ports TM are formed in the wall of the chamber [1 immediately below the flange 16565 to communicate the char ber b with the interior of the reservoir tank a. Numeral N5 designates a first valve element in the form of a tubular slide arranged in the chamber b in spaced relation to the inner wall thereof to define an annular exhaust clearance 1% therebetween. The tubular slide 1135 has a head portion 107 and is normally biased upwardly by a spring 108 interposed between the underside of the head portion Ill? and the bottom plate 192. The top of the head portion it)? is recessed to receive a packing element 1%, which is normally held in pressure contact with an annular projection 1th extending downwardly from the underside of the flange 1% to close a passage 112, which communicates the chamber [7 with the atmosphere through an aperture llfl defined by the inner periphery of the flange 1593 centrally thereof.

A second valve'elernent M3 is fitted in a chamber d de- 7 fined by the peripheral wall of the first valve element M25 and a flange 114 radially inwardly extending from th s peripheral wall thereof. The second valve element 115 has a head portion 119 and is normally biased upwardly by a spring 115 interposed between the underside or the head portion and the bottom plate 162. The top surface of the second valve element 113 is recessed to receive a packing element 115, which is normally pressed against an annular projection 11'? extending downwardly from' the flange 114 to close a vertical opening 312i; defined by the inner peripheral edge thereof. I

A plunger or tubular connector extends downwardly from the chamb 0 through the aperture 111 to engage The plunger 1% includes a needle-like top portion, an axial passage 121 terminating adjacent to the top thereof, and lateral bores 122 communicating with the axial passage adjacent to its top. The axial passage 121 opens at the bottom of the plunger and communicates with slots 123 formed at the bottom end of the plunger. The plunger has a radially outwardly extending flange 124 intermediate its ends and its exterior through the discharge fitted in the axial aperture ill, normally being held in engagement with the underside of a flange 125 formed about the top of the axial aperture Elli to limit the rise of the plunger. That portion of the plunger which extends downwardly from the flange 124 is fitted through the packing M9 centrally thereof into the vertical opening 118 and normally held at the bottom in engagement with the top surface of the packing 1. 16. The plunger has an enlarged-diameter or stem portion 126 above the flange 124, thus forming a shoulder 12'? between the portion res and the needle-like top portion 123 for supporting the valve 129 of a fuel supply vessel, indicated by the broken lines.

The bottom plate M2 is firmly secured to the lower end or" the cylindrical casing ltil and has a filling aperture 13%) formed centrally thereof.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is as follows. Normally, the first valve element is positioned to close the exhaust passage, the second valve element 113 is positioned to close the filling passage, and the connector 123% is at rest on the second valve element 113 applying substantially no load thereto.

In opening the filling valve, the valve 129 of the fuel supply vessel is fitted over the needle-like top portion 128 of the plunger 129 to engage the shoulder 127 thereof and forced down tolo wer the second valve element 113 against the bias of the spring 115. As a result, the packing element 116 is moved apart from the annular-projection 117 to open the filling passage including the passage 121, slots i123, chamber a and filling aperture 130. As

the plunger 126i is further forced down, the underside of a the flange ll i is first brought into contact with the top surface of the packing element res and then forces down the first valve element 1% against the bias of the spring 1% so. that the packing element 109 is separated from the annular projection fllti toopen the exhaust passage communicating the interior of the reservoir tank a with port lfid, air discharge clearance lflfi, axial aperture M1 and chamber c. The valve opening operation is completed when the underside of the valve element 165 engages the top surface of the bottom plate ltlZ. In this manner, it is ensured that the liquefied gas fuel is filled through the filling aperture 13d into the reservoir tank 0 while the air or vaporized liquefied gas fuel in the reservoir tank c is discharged through the exhaust port 4 (see also FIG. 2).

On the other hand, when the filling valve is closed, initially the exhaust passage is closed by the packing element 199 mounted on the first valve element N5 and then the filling passage is closed by the packing element 116, the plunger 120 being restored to its normal position under the spring bias.

7 The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6

has an important advantage that it is easy to assemble since there is no needfor connecting together the second valve element 113 and the plunger 1'20 beforehand As apparent from the foregoing, the present invention is featured by the fiact that it employs a plunger and a tubular slide fitted over the plunger for opening and closing lfilling and exhaust passages, and that the two passages are defined by the top and bottom faces of the tubular slide and packing elements arranged to cooperate with the respective faces so that the filling and exhaust passages arelopened and closed in a positive and accurate fashion.

While several embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be evident that various changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be made without'departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 'Y I a V Cl. A filling and exhausting valve means for replenishing a reservoir with a fluid substance comprising,

(a) a casing adapted to belconnected to the reservoir,

(b) said casing having a filling aperture and an exhaust port formed therein,

(0) an annular flange disposed intermediate the ends of said casing, said flange defining an exhaust valve seat,

(d) a plunger means including a valve steam portion and a connected head portion movably mounted in said casing, said stem portion being extended through said exhaust valve seat and said stem having formed therein .a fluid inlet passageway connecting with an inlet .port,

(e) a slide member operatively associated with said plunger means, said slide member being mounted on said stem for relative movement therebetween,

(f) said slide member having means for normally valving said exhaust valve seat closed, and cooperating means between said head and said slide member for normally valving said inlet port closed whereby relative movement between said plunger means and said slide member effects opening of said inlet port to connect the same in communication with said reservoir,

(g) and means on said valve stem to efiect movement of said slide member with continued movement of said plunger means to effect opening of said exhaust valve seat after the opening of said inlet port,

(h) wherein said slide member engages said casing in the operative position of said valve to form a seal thereat to seal the exhaust port for said filling aperture.

2. For use in a liquidified lighter having a reservoir the improvement of a filling and exhausting valve com prising,

(a) a valve casing extending into said reservoir, said casing having a filling aperture tor-med in the bottom therein and an exhaust port formed in the side thereof,

(b) means in said casing defining an annular flange to define an exhaust valve seat for communicating the interior of said casing to the atmosphere,

(c) a first valving member disposed in said casing, said first valving member being movably mounted within said casing for valving said exhaust valve seat between open and closed positions,

((1) said first valving member comprising a tubular slide having an internal angular flange to define a i'luid inlet valve seat, said slide being disposed in spaced relationship to the Walls of said casing to define therebetween an exhaust chamber connecting said exhaust port to said exhaust valve seat,

(e) a spring means for normally urging said slide toward said exhaust valve seat to close the same, (i) a second valving member movably mounted in said casing for relative movement to said first valving member,

(g) said second valving member including a plunger means having a valve stem arranged to extend through the fluid inlet valve seat of said slide and the exhaust valve seat of said casing, and a connected head portion,

(h) said valve stem having a fluid passageway formed therein, said passageway connecting with a port extending laterally through the stem thereof,

(i) means for normally urging the head of said second valving member toward said fluid inlet valve seat to close the same whereby said inlet port is closed,

(j) and an actuator on said stem to effect displacement of said first valve member upon the continued movement of said second valve member to effecting seating of slide member on said seat casing to seal the exhaust port from the filling aperture in the operative position of the valve.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,08 5,601 4/ 6'3 Zellweger 14l-293 3,092,153 6/63 Stoyke 14 l302 FOREIGN PATENTS 655,196 1/ 63 Canada.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FILLING AND EXHAUSTING VALVE MEANS FOR REPLENISHING A RESERVOIR WITH A FLUID SUBSTANCE COMPRISING, (A) A CASING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO THE RESERVOIR, (B) SAID CASING HAVING A FILLING APERTURE AND AN EXHAUST PORT FORMED THEREIN, (C) AN ANNULAR FLANGE DISPOSED INERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID CASING, SAID FLANGE DEFINING AN EXHAUST VALVE SEAT. (D) A PLUNGER MEANS INCLUDING A VALVE STEAM PORTION AND A CONNECTED HEAD PORTION MOVABLY MOUNTED IN SAID CASING, SAID STEM PORTION BEING EXTENDED THROUGH SAID EXHAUST VALVE SEAT AND SAID STEM HAVING FORMED THEREIN A FLUID INLET PASSAGEWAY CONNECTING WITH AN INLET PORT, (E) A SLIDE MEMBER OPERATIVELY ASSOICATED WITH SAID PLUNGER MEANS, SAID SLIDE MEMBER BEING MOUNTED ON SAID STEM FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN, (F) SAID SLIDE MEMEMBER HASVING MEANS FOR NORMALLY VALVING SAID EXHAUST VALVE SEAT CLOSED, AND COOPERATING MEANS BETWEEN SAID HEAD AND SAID SLIDE MEMBER FOR NORMALLY VALVING SAID INLET PORT CLOSED WHEREBY RELATIVELY MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID PLUNGER MEANS AND SAID SLIDE MEMBER EFFECTS OPENING OF SAID INLET PORT TO CONNECT THE SAME IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID RESERVOIR, (G) AND MEANS ON SAID VALVE STEM TO EFFECT MOVEMENT OF SAID SLIDE MEMBER WITH CONTINUED MOVEMENT OF SAID PLUNGER MEANS TO EFFECT OPENING OF SAID EXHAUST VALVE SEAT AFTER THE OPENING OF SAID INLET PORT, (H) WHEREIN SAID SLIDE MEMBER ENGAGES SAID CASING IN THE OPERATIVE POSITION OF SAID VALVE TO FORM A SEAL THEREAT TO SEAL THE EXHAUST PORT FOR SAID FILLING APERTURE. 